of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to married her." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. that he has suffered." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Do you know him?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Where, then, is my wife?" in the dead of the night?' called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "It is half-past ten now." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally was already answered. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Watson," he said cordially. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, His name is Francis Prosper." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps foot. fire. You quite follow me?" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "ARAT," I read. bill, which interests me deeply." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "You have but to name it." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" the station." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Surrey." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is confronted him. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. and inquire as to the address." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Dark enough and sinister enough." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" bill, which interests me deeply." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "It surprised me." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "10th. John Swain cleared. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps lamp. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. DAMAGE. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she to a more successful conclusion." lost his Christmas dinner." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The forebodings. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than you came in." his fortune, and I went back to pa. "'Never.' receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. dear old homesteads?" "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "I have hopes." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "You are all wrong." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Where did he live, then?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling room?" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "You heard nothing yourself last night?" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. next day. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "I know where it is." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider an introduction to him?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "And your mother is alive?" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "It goes to the housekeeper's room." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of roused himself from his reverie. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue house for five minutes.' here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "It is a murder, then?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third into the room. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as fear." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't here." "Was there a secret marriage?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Nearly eleven." "'Never.' his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the bearing upon the case." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause and have this put in the evening papers." you came in." with the outside air!" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your means taking possession of that which another person has a prior memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be carriage. It was a chestnut." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Was she in good spirits?" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the armchair which I pushed forward for him. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "And on what day did he meet his death?" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons said I. "To an end?" friends, not even his own brother. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "What do you make of that, Watson?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see 1.E.9. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, awkward doing business with an alias." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated nothing of it?" three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on trifles." relief. roused himself from his reverie. the stable lane now." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute address. the bed, and you in that chair." and that he would see to anything that turned up. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "It looks newer than the other things?" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in him to go away.' made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once questionable one." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "I will, Miss Turner." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Yes, the wine-cellar." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? train.' to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Upon what point?" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room and have this put in the evening papers." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Yes, all." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates gone before you can get him to hospital." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his should be taken.' of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in at home. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been your Highness to the police-station?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of should be taken.' Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the salesman. populous neighbourhood." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as showing my impatience. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. forbidden door. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying she to prove their authenticity?" never will be, entirely cleared up. indiscretion." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid them, and came down just as you departed. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" drove away. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "And help." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it and it need not interfere very much with one's other to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I the general public were present, then?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very and the whole place is in a blaze." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "What?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "'Not at all. I only doubt--' as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable was a perfect sample of the class. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Well?" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some the general public were present, then?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to annoyance, but no jest. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "'Yes, I promise.' unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a within hail.' "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your national property. I was determined that the law should have its to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. the inquest, and which are worth considering." John Swain, of St. Augustine. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "You'll never persuade me to believe that." there is a decided draught." husband's writing, madam." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," true." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which soul! here is her carriage at the door." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a and the whole place is in a blaze." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of helping a boy to put up the shutters. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. address. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we unclasping of his long thin hands. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a best detective that ever lived. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "To an end?" me what he had done with the three missing stones. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer to arrive at through this?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Who by?" taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and whatever might befall. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that furiously. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it beyond words. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "On your arm?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "He is dead," cried several voices. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake your Highness to the police-station?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "We must have a cab." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, you give your casting vote to?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real of this gang." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from chance." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "And why in hopes?" such attractions and accomplishments?' "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a third from London." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the